In his speech at the Malacañang palace on Monday, President Rodrigo Duterte dismissed the idea of his eldest son, Paolo “Pulong” Duterte will run as Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The president said that it will not be good to look at if he and his son will hold two of the highest positions in the country while his daughter Sara is the mayor of Davao City alongside his youngest son Sebastian Duterte as the vice mayor.
Duterte also asked his eldest son to give him a heads up three days before announcing his decision so that he can file for his resignation immediately.
Paolo was elected as vice mayor to Duterte from 2013 to 2016 and was re-elected on 2016-2019. But on 2017 he resigned from his position after he and his brother-in-low Manases Carpio were linked as members of the so-called Davao Group, the group behind the smuggling controversy of P6.4 billion drug shipment from China.
This remarks came after Davao del Norte Representative Pantaleon Alvarez expressed support for the possible House speakership bid of Paolo. Thus, the president assured that he would be neutral on selecting the next House Speaker.
“My son Paolo, he’s being rooted to run. I will tell my son publicly now, we would have a talk,†he said.
“If he insists on running (for Speaker), maniwala siya sa mga advisers niya (if he believes in his advisers), go ahead. Let me know three days in advance before you make the announcement and I will tender my resignation,†the President added.
But Paolo reacted to his father’s remarks and cited that there might be a misinterpretation. He also clarified that he had no intention to become the next speaker. (with reports from Bombo Jovino Galang)
